Colorado’s rich history of black cowboys, ranchers and farmers will be honored Friday on the House floor as part of Black History Month.

Rep. Rhonda Fields, D-Aurora, will pay tribute to Paul Stewart, founder of the Black American West Museum in the Five Points neighborhood, and Lu Vason, president and producer of the Bill Pickett Invitational Rodeo.

“I’m very thankful that Rep. Fields is honoring this oft forgotten part of the American West,” said former House Speaker Terrance Carroll, who will attend the event. “The American West would not have been the American West without the contribution of black cowboys, ranchers and farmers.”

It’s all in how you look at it. When a workplace discrimination case goes to court in Colorado, small businesses deserve some latitude and protection from punitive damages, according to a Republican bill that died in the Democrat-led House Judiciary Committee Thursday on a 7-6 party line vote. Democrats on the committee maintained that the guilty should be held responsible, and the courts could mete out a fair settlement relative to each case.

The sharp difference in perspective was spelled out in the headlines on press releases that came from each parties’ communications team in the House after the hearing.

“Holding the Line Against Workplace Discrimination; Panel Rejects GOP Attempt to Roll Back Penalties Against Most Egregious Offenders,” the Democrats declared. Came the Republicans, “Democrats refuse to create level playing field for small businesses.”

Joey Bunch has been a reporter for 28 years, including the last 12 at The Denver Post. For various newspapers he has covered the environment, water issues, politics, civil rights, sports and the casino industry.